by By Lt. Col. John Millard
21st Air Mobility Operations Squadron commander

11/17/2006 - MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- The 21st Air Mobility Operations
Squadron is a dynamic, total force squadron of 36 different Air Force
specialties.

During its 30-year history, the squadron has evolved into a weapon system
of recognized experts in air mobility leadership, strategic and operational
planning, command and control, theater mobility support and expeditionary
communications.

Not only does it produce theater air mobility operations for combatant commanders
as the core of an air mobility division in an air and space operations center,
the squadron also execute the distinguished visitor [DV] airborne communication
mission. This is unique to the Air Force, and it is the only squadron to
provide this capability with the Silver Bullet and VIPER II Aeronautical
Terminal systems.

The DV airborne communication mission started in the early 1990s when a
requirement to transport DVs into and out of a high-threat or austere environment
was needed. Air Mobility Command, working with combatant commanders, developed
a mobile command and control module that could be loaded onto a C-141 aircraft
to provide long-range transportation with a robust global communications
capability. The C2 module was a palletized Airstream trailer, with an embedded
communications suite, and became known as the Silver Bullet. Two Silver Bullets
were developed by the Air Force Research Laboratories, one was stationed
at McGuire and the other at Yokota Air Base, Japan.

In the mid-90s, both Silver Bullets received a separate communications module
to provide UHF/VHF communications and commercial satellite voice and data
services. During the same period, the mission at McGuire became the
responsibility of the 621st Air Mobility Operations Group.

In 1998, the capability to transport the Silver Bullet was expanded to include
the KC-10, and then expanded to the C-17 in 2000. In late 2005, the Yokota
Bullet became permanently assigned to McGuire and the communication mission
is currently assigned to the 21st AMOS.

Each Silver Bullet mission typically deploys with three satellite communications
maintainers who are trained in UHF/VHF communications and commercial satellite
voice and data services.

The Airmen serve as both operators and maintainers in-flight and are the
key to the program's success. Their expertise includes aircraft loads and
connections and the applicable technical challenges of maintaining connectivity
at 30,000 feet while moving at 400 knots. The typical mission lasts five-to-seven
days, and the troops maintain a TDY rate greater than 200 days a year.

The Silver Bullet is literally an office in the sky with a full suite of
command and control capabilities spanning all entities of the U.S. government
and military. People who use the Silver Bullet include the vice president,
secretary of defense, secretary of state, chairman, joint chiefs of staff,
members of Congress and many of the combatant commanders. This vital capability
is not executed alone; the squadron works closely with the 605th Aircraft
Maintenance Squadron to keep the mission on track.

The 21st AMOS Communications Flight is also responsible for maintaining and
executing the mission with a more flexible and mobile system called VIPER
II.

VIPER II is a transit case-based satellite communications system. It is designed
to give the technicians the ability to hand carry the system on and off C-17,
KC-10, and C-130 airframes. This system deploys with two maintainers and
provides the robust communication capability required in DV travel. There
are STEs for secure voice and SIPRNET/NIPRNET connectivity utilizing four,
64K satellite channels for both the data and voice communication.

The 21st AMOS has transformed into a squadron with an amazing skill set.
Whenever a DV needs global communication connectivity while traveling into
and out of austere or hostile locations, it is the 21st AMOS who takes them
to the fight.

The Silver Bullet is an amazing system for the long range deployments of
the senior leaders. And when the requirement is to get them into and out
of the really remote sites, VIPER II is the perfect choice.

The 21st AMOS is a leading expeditionary force, maintaining a forward posture
to support our senior leaders and "ready to roll" at a moment's notice.

13.14.1. Joint Task Force/C2 Module. The C2 module (CCM) is a 36-foot long
Airstream-type trailer built in 3 sections commonly referred to as the
Silver Bullet. Each section is permanently mounted on 12-foot
long airdrop pallets. Since the trailer is not FAA certified for occupancy
during takeoff or landing, do not occupy for takeoff or landing. Procedures
for installing the module are in Section 5 of T.O. 1C-10(K)A-9 and Chapter
25 of this instruction.

13.14.1.1. The module has the capability to carry up to 10 personnel, four
in seats with seat belts. When cleared by the PIC the communications suite
operator and flight attendants (FAs) will proceed to the module after take-off,
establish power application, and establish interphone contact with the cockpit.
Once interphone contact has been established, additional personnel will be
cleared to the module. The right side section of the environmental curtain
and cargo barrier net should be stowed to allow easy access to the module
after passing 10,000 feet MSL and reinstalled after the module has been cleared
prior to final landing. Interphone contact will be established and maintained
with the module operator anytime the module is occupied.

13.14.1.2. The CCM is equipped with 10 EPOS units. In the event of a loss
of cabin pressurization all occupants of the module will don the EPOS and
proceed to the forward cabin when directed by the AC or a uniformed flight
crewmember. Once seated in the forward cabin, they will be directed to use
the drop-down masks as required.

13.14.1.3. The PIC remains responsible for the safety of all occupants of
the module, and all additional individuals associated with the mission.

13.14.1.4. Normally, FAs will accompany the CCM and manage the DV and
accompanying party. When reporting for the mission, they will provide the
PIC with a current ground training report and copy of the most current AF
IMT 8 certifying that they are current and qualified to operate equipment
on the KC-10. FAs are qualified to operate doors (normal and emergency
operation), brief and monitor passengers, accomplish customs and border
clearance, and operate emergency equipment located in the forward cabin and
cargo compartment. The lead FA will coordinate duties with the senior BO
before the mission. Management of the DV and party is the primary responsibility
of the senior FA; however, the overall responsibility of managing the forward
cabin and cargo compartment rests with the senior BO on board the aircraft.

This shows the "executive compartment" installed in a C-17 Globemaster to
provide comfortable travel accommodations
for the Secretary of Defense, VIPs and senior officers. It appears to be
three-sections of joined Airstream mobile-home type units.
Nearby appears to be a communications module. It is not clear how many there
are of these special installations. Air Force
personnel call this the "Silver Bullet"
(ref
1)
(ref
2).

If you have to spend 15 hours in the back of a plane, might as well do it
in comfort. This is an old airstream trailer cut into pallet-size easily
loadable chunks. While obviously very comfy, it's main value is the massive
number of comm options it provides its passengers. [No location provided.]

A trailer sits inside a U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo plane where U.S. Secretary
of Defense Robert Gates sits while enroute to Baghdad, Iraq December 10,
2009 over Afghanistan. Secretary Gates stopped in Iraq following a two day
trip to Afghanistan one week after U.S. President Barack Obama announced
that he will send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan. Getty

White House staff, press and Secret Service personnel sit outside a luxury
trailer where U.S. first lady Laura Bush flies in privacy inside a C-17 military
aircraft for seven hours from Afghanistan to Slovenia, after a surprise visit
to
Afghanistan, June 8, 2008. Reuters

C-17 Swank Flying Residence

Eyeball

This appears to be the earliest photo (4/12/2005) of the Silver Bullet
on the DoD imagery site.
It shows the Airstream is not yet as securely strapped as in later photos.

Members of the Office of the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) and the traveling
press work diligently around the "Silver Bullet," an Airstream trailer serving
as an airborne command center, on board the US Air Force (USAF) C-17A Globemaster
III in flight over Iraq. Date Shot: 4/12/2005. Date Posted: unknown

U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates' delegation works aboard a C-17
Globemaster III aircraft, based out of Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., en
route to Baghdad, Iraq, July 28, 2009. Gates is traveling to Iraq to receive
operational updates and meet with key Iraqi officials. (U.S. Air Force photo
by Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison/Released) Date Posted: 7/29/2009

Department of Defense officials and military members enjoy a meal onboard
a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., Dec.
3, 2007, while enroute to Kabul, Afghanistan, from Djibouti during a recent
trip with Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates. Gates is on a weeklong trip
to Africa Command and U.S. Central Command areas of responibility for defense
updates. DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison, U.S. Air Force. (Released)
Date Posted: unknown

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgts. Tamara Collum and Rob Ferry, both flight attendants
from the 89th Operations Support Squadron's Special Air Mission, prepare
a meal onboard a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from Travis Air Force Base,
Calif., for Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and his delegation while
enroute to Kabul, Afghanistan, Dec. 3, 2007. DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Jerry
Morrison, U.S. Air Force. (Released) Date Posted: unknown

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and members of his staff take a flight
on board a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to Kabul, Afghanistan,
Sept. 16, 2008. Gates is in Southwest Asia to meet with Iraqi and Afghan
leaders and to preside over the change of command ceremony for Multi-National
Force - Iraq. (DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison, U.S. Air Force/Released)
Date Posted: 9/16/2008

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates talks with members of his staff on board
a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft en route to Kabul, Afghanistan,
Sept. 16, 2008. Gates is in Southwest Asia to meet with Iraqi and Afghan
leaders and to preside over the change of command ceremony for Multi-National
Force - Iraq. (DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison, U.S. Air Force/Released)
Date Posted: 9/16/2008

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, left, meets with members of the traveling
press on board a C-17 Globemaster III aicraft en route to Iraq Dec. 19, 2006,
just one day after he took the oath of office as the 22nd secretary of defense.
Gates is going to Iraq to meet with deployed troops, military leaders and
key Iraqi government officials to help him assess the current situation and
to prepare for the future. DoD photo by Cherie A. Thurlby. (Released) Date
Posted: unknown

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, right, and U.S. Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, share ideas on board a C-17 to Iraq, while
Robert Rangel, special assistant to the secretary of defense, and Eric Edelman,
under secretary of defense for policy, look on, Dec. 19, 2006. Gates is going
to Iraq to meet with deployed troops, military leaders and key Iraqi government
officials to help him assess the current situation and to prepare for the
future. Defense Dept. photo by Cherie A. Thurlby (released) Date Posted:
unknown

The E-4B serves as the National Airborne Operations Center for the president,
secretary of defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff or JCS. In case of national
emergency or destruction of ground command control centers, the aircraft
provides a highly survivable, command, control and communications center
to direct U.S. forces, execute emergency war orders and coordinate actions
by civil authorities.

The main deck is divided into six functional areas: a command work area,
conference room, briefing room, an operations team work area, and communications
and rest areas. An E-4B crew may include up to 112 people, including a
joint-service operations team, an ACC flight crew, a maintenance and security
component, a communications team and selected augmentees.

The E-4B has electromagnetic pulse protection, an electrical system designed
to support advanced electronics and a wide variety of new communications
equipment. Other improvements include nuclear and thermal effects shielding,
acoustic control, an improved technical control facility and an upgraded
air-conditioning system for cooling electrical components. An advanced satellite
communications system improves worldwide communications among strategic and
tactical satellite systems and the airborne operations center.

Deputy Chief of Mission to Afghanistan Ambassador Ricciardone and U.S. Army
Gen. David Rodriguez, the deputy commander of International Security Assistance
Force, greet Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates as he arrives in Kabul,
Afghanistan, Dec. 8, 2009. Gates is on his first trip back to Southwest Asia
after President Barack Obama announced he is sending an additional 30,000
troops to Afghanistan. (DoD photo by Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison, U.S. Air
Force/Released) Date Posted: 12/8/2009

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates listens to a question from a reporter
while en route to Kabul, Afghanistan, Dec. 7, 2009. Gates is flying to
Afghanistan to speak about the U.S. strategy to deploy an additional 30,000
troops. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison/Released) Date
Posted: 12/8/2009

[Maureen Dowd, New York Times columnist at center, wasted from dozing in
a seat for the flight while Gates snoozed in a VIP bedroom.]

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates listens to questions from members
of the press Feb. 18, 2009, during a press availability aboard a National
Airborne Operations Center aircraft prior to departure from Andrews Air Force
Base, Md. (DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison, U.S. Air Force/Released)
Date Posted: 2/19/2009 [Behind the reporters is the global communications
facility (see below).]

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates holds a press conference aboard his
aircraft Oct. 10, 2008, while enroute to Washington D.C. after meeting with
NATO leaders during the Budapest NATO Conference. (DoD photo by Tech. Sgt.
Jerry Morrison, U.S. Air Force/Released) Date Posted: 10/12/2008 [Behind
Gates is his office-bedroom suite in the nose of the aircraft
(below).]

Kristin Roberts, a reporter with Reuters, asks Secretary of Defense Robert
M. Gates a question during a press conference aboard his aircraft Oct. 10,
2008, while enroute to Washington D.C. after meeting with NATO leaders during
the Budapest NATO Conference. (DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison, U.S.
Air Force/Released) Date Posted: 10/12/2008

Reporters listen to Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates during a press briefing
aboard the E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft Oct. 6, 2008,
while in flight over the Atlantic Ocean enroute to the Southeastern European
Defense Ministerial. (DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison, U.S. Air
Force/Released) Date Posted: 10/7/2008 [Behind the reporters is the global
communications facility.]

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates speaks during a press briefing aboard
the E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft Oct. 6, 2008, while
in flight over the Atlantic Ocean enroute to the Southeastern European Defense
Ministerial. (DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison, U.S. Air Force/Released)
Date Posted: 10/7/2008

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates finishes up some paperwork onboard the
National Airborne Operations Center aircraft prior to his arrival at Camp
Lemonier, Djibouti, Dec. 3, 2007. Gates is in the Horn of Africa during the
kickoff of Africa Command and U.S. Central Command trip. DoD photo by U.S.
Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison, U.S. Air Force. (Released) Date Posted:
unknown [This within the office-bedroom suite in the nose of the aircraft.]

Members of the Secretary of Defense's staff prepare for arrival at Camp Lemonier,
Djibouti, Dec. 3, 2007. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates is visiting
the region for Department of Defense updates in the Horn of Africa. DoD photo
by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison, U.S. Air Force. (Released) Date
Posted: unknown

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates talks to members of the traveling press
onboard a U.S. Air Force E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft
Oct. 2, 2007, during his trip to Latin America. DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Jerry
Morrison, U.S. Air Force. (Released) Date Posted: Unknown [Behind the reporters
is the global communications facility shown in the previous photo.]